Skip to main content Skip to search results Skip to Facets & Filters

Frederick, George William, III, King, 1738-1820

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1738 - 1820

Biography

George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of the two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death in 1820. He was concurrently Duke and Prince-elector of Brunswick-Lüneburg ("Hanover") in the Holy Roman Empire before becoming King of Hanover on 12 October 1814. He was a monarch of the House of Hanover, but unlike his two predecessors, he was born in Great Britain, spoke English as his first language, and never visited Hanover.

George's life and reign, which were longer than those of any of his predecessors, were marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdoms, much of the rest of Europe, and places farther afield in Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Early in his reign, Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War, becoming the dominant European power in North America and India. However, many of Britain's American colonies were soon lost in the American War of Independence. Further wars against revolutionary and Napoleonic France from 1793 concluded in the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

In the later part of his life, George had recurrent, and eventually permanent, mental illness. Although it has since been suggested that he had bipolar disorder or the blood disease porphyria, the cause of his illness remains unknown. After a final relapse in 1810, a regency was established. His eldest son, George, Prince of Wales, ruled as Prince Regent until his father's death, when he succeeded as George IV. Historical analysis of George III's life has gone through a "kaleidoscope of changing views" that have depended heavily on the prejudices of his biographers and the sources available to them.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

George III, King of Great Britain document

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 772325
Mss 772325
Date(s): 1772-05-25
Scope and Contents

George III, King of Great Britain document addressed to Richard Rigby authorising allowance for one year to certain officers and men of the Horse Guard the Court at St. James in [London, England]. Signed by Charles Jenkinsn, Charles Townshed and on other.

George III, King of Great Britain letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 803416
Mss 803416
Date(s): 1803-07-16
Abstract

In English.

King of Great Britain George III grant

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 772124.2
Mss 772124.2
Date(s): 1772-01-24
Scope and Contents

George III, king of Gt. Brit. grant of Hart Island and Buck Island to Jonathan Chase.

Back to top